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*** UPDATED WITH AUDIO *** AND AT 4:30 WITH A STATEMENT FROM THE MICHIGAN GOP AND SANTORUM'S CAMPAIGN.
The Detroit Free Press today reported that the Michigan Republican Party voted last night to award the state's two at-large delegates to the statewide winner -- i.e, Mitt Romney -- instead of dividing them up proportionally.
That move, according the paper, would give Romney a 16-14 edge in delegates instead of the 15-15 tie between Romney and Santorum.
As a result of this move, NBC has since changed the delegate count, 16-14.
In response to criticism that the Michigan GOP changed its rules to benefit native son Mitt Romney, Michigan GOP committeeman Saul Anuzis -- a Romney supporter -- said the winner-take-all aspect for the at-large delegates was always agreed upon, and any misunderstanding was due to an error in the party's memo.
"Regrettably, there was an error in the memo drafted and sent to the respective campaigns," Anuzis said. "There were questions raised at the time the memo was drafted as to whether the legal language used was accomplishing the goal of the committee and we were advised that it was, but now it is clear that the memo did not properly communicate the intent of the committee. The email traffic surrounding the drafting of the memo in early February makes explicitly clear what the intent of the committee was."
But in an interview with NBC News three weeks ago -- on Feb. 8 -- Michigan GOP Chair Robert Schostak clearly stated that Michigan's at-large delegates would be awarded PROPORTIONALLY.
HERE'S THE AUDIO OF THE INTERVIEW.
Schostak said:
"We start off with, after the penalty, 30 voting delegates. Okay? Each district-congressional district - you can win individually. So you have 14 districts you can win two delegates. That takes you to 28. Okay? The two at-large that remain, provided the individual candidate won at least 15 percent of the statewide vote - okay so with four candidates that's likely to happen. Then they get awarded proportionally, those delegates, and then rounded to the nearest decimal point so there won't be any half delegates or quarter delegates."
(Emphasis is ours.)
The Michigan Republican Party has been rife with internal disagreements over the years, so it's not surprising that it doesn't even agree how its delegates should be awarded.
*** UPDATE *** Here is a new statement to NBC News from the party's communications director taking blame for not explaining "more clearly" and laying out the math.
Matt Frendewey, director of communications, Michigan Republican Party:
"It is unfortunate if I did not explain this more clearly. When the RNC indicated it would penalize our total delegates and award us only 30 delegates, the credentials committee met on Feb. 4 and interpreted the penalty by voting unanimously to send Michigan’s full delegation. Within congressional districts, designate two out of the three delegates as the RNC recognized delegates and two out of the 14 at-large as RNC recognized delegates.
"The at-large delegates are still awarded proportionally to candidates that achieve the 15 percent threshold, the two RNC recognized delegates are assigned to the candidate that wins the most votes. Michigan’s results, without the RNC penalty, 28-Romney/28-Santorum. If the RNC upholds its penalty, 16-Romney, 14-Santorum."
That is of no consolation to the Santorum campaign.
Per NBC's Andrew Rafferty, here's the response from Santorum national political director Hogan Gidley:
"There’s just no way this is happening. We’ve all heard rumors that Mitt Romney was furious that he spent a fortune in his home state, had all the political establishment connections and could only tie Rick Santorum. But we never thought the Romney campaign would try to rig the outcome of an election by changing the rules after the vote. This kind of back room dealing political thuggery just cannot and should not happen in America."
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Dont worry the circus of the gop, is only helping obama, obama will beat any clown of the gop by a mile the gop the only agenda, is to work for the rich, destroy the middle class, and exterminate the poors, i was a gop before, but wooow they are funny, no wonder they will have a surprise in the next eleccions, we know it will be better with obama see the real polls obama is gaining a lot of confidence thanks of this clowns of the gop
Why is the Republican Party doing all it can to provide the Lefties with ammunition to use against us? Gingerich, Paul and Santorum, let go of your egos long enough to realize Mr. Romney will get the GOP nod. Mr. Romney, start using what little time's remaining to focus on our REAL PROBLEMS. Obama and his idiot brigade are laughing over our lack of focus.
yeah, good luck with that Charles....Romney will never win against Obama.....
I take offence to anyone referring to the President as a commy, a Nazi, etc.,etc. I guess being a person living in the United States that doesn't mean anything to you. We have free elections, at least as free as they can be. (chuckle, chuckle). Free elections don't mean a thing to those of you who's favorite didn't win. The next day in office, he wasn't born here, he's a Muslim, he's going to ruin the nation, top priority....is to make this man a one term president. I guess I'm old school when we backed our president unless he broke the law. And I don't mean speeding ticket. Republicans and democrats have always bickered back and forth. Now it's gone a mile further. Name calling, shaking your finger in the face of the President of the most powerful nation the world has ever known. Grow up people, or you will find yourselves in a situation where elections are truly a farce, the internet is state run, the news is what the state will let you hear, and last but not least, you will be forced to (love your leaders). KMA
(But we never thought the Romney campaign would try to rig the outcome of an election by changing the rules after the vote. This kind of back room dealing political thuggery just cannot and should not happen in Americaut we never thought the Romney campaign would try to rig the outcome of an election by changing the rules after the vote. This kind of back room dealing political thuggery just cannot and should not happen in America ) This is what the Republican party is all about if you can't win fair then cheat, still of kill what else do you expect from the lowlifes.
they did it in 2000 they did it in 2008 and they will do it again...karl rove is not in an "undisclosed" location he is right there advising these idiots
Sure are a lot of p.o'ed lefties out there today. Full moon?
Not p oed just bursting at the seems with laughter and pity.
Watching this buffoonery by the GOP and the four STOOGES caditates is the funniest thing I have seen in 50 years.(My appologies tho Moe,Larry,and Curly)
i second this Jak.....what a fiasco..if this is the best the GOP has then what a sorry state they are in
See what I mean.
wow, what the GOP won't do to make someone look "electable". Mittens is as corrupt as they come, someone please explain to me why he has money in the caymans and Switzerland? do you honestly think that he will be able to stand up to a real debate come Fall??? laughable. and as for Ricky...well just look at his record and the reason the GOP voters in PA kicked his perverbial butt out of office....the only candidate they have that is above board is Dr. Paul, and they will NEVER get behind him as he is an honest individual. as a independent woman voter, i have heard enough garbage from the mouths of mittens and ricky....obama in 2012
I logged onto this site because I thought it was an oppurtunity for an intelligent exchange of ideas. It might be a quaint idea, but I think people can have differences of opinion without resorting to the banality that seems to be prevalent on these types of forums. My wife and I have different religious backgrounds and different political biases. We've been happily married for twenty-five years because we respect each others opinions. It isn't difficult.
I am a registered republican, but I have never voted a straight ticket. I have always examined both candidates, what they stand for, what they have done and what they say they will do, and then I vote for the one I think is best. For the first time in ten presidential elections, there is no one, on either side, I want to see in the Oval Office. What a mess!
It seems that anyone who would vote for any Republican for President right now would not be very intelligent. The party obviously has a lot of problems, that they should work out, before thinking about trying to run the country.
This goes to show both sides cheat.
And that's the way it should be...winner take all. After all the tea hole and republican'ts think that's right when it comes to gay marriage and any other social issue they agree with. Amazing how they want to bend the rules, when THEY don't like them though....oh well, who didn't know they were a bunch of intolerant bigots and hypocrites???
what a disgraceful party they've been shown to be. all about money all along, and like vultures at the end fighting over scraps.
The GOP is such a joke!
One quick question, How many of the delegates are on Ron Paul's payroll? LOL
If Republicans are involved in an election,,,,,,,,There WILL be fraud involved and
a lot of it will be semi "legal" under their rules, Delegates bought, Rules changed,
Districts uncounted, TO FUNNY!!!!!
Bo - Kind of like the fiasco in Michigan and Florida in 2008 with Obama and Hillary. Remember Hillary wanted all the delegates from Michigan because Obama was not on the ballot. Both contested Florida since neither campaigned there.
Then there was the statement from Bill Clinton accusing Obama of playing the race card.
The 2008 democratic primary was not error free or non-controversial. I believe there were charges by both candidates of voter fraud and back room wheeling and dealer.
sfcret, your comparison is wrong. I have researched the 2008 primary's and your innuendo is not supported by facts. Both State's recieved 1/2 vote for their delegates because their State legislature moved the primary date up in the calander, both where controlled by the Republicans,,,,,,,,,,,,,, get it,,,,,,,,,. The DNC had rules and both sides, Hillary and Obama accepted the results.......... Don't dummy us down,,,,,,,,,,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Democratic_primary,_2008,,,,,,,,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Democratic_primary,_2008
It was the REpublicOn legislature in those two States that moved the day of voting up, in violation of the Party's rules............Nice Try, Rush......LOL........the Repuglicans tried to dismiss or take power away from the Democratic party in those States.............. You lose..........
#2.28 - Thu Mar 1, 2012 10:58 PM CST
Bob-1920561
Now, Repugs in Florida have the "winner take all" agenda. Thats equal representation if I I've ever seen it,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,NOT,,,,,, Keep being the dummys to the power brokers in Florida,,,,,,,,,and Arizona
So, what this means is that my vote really doesn't count because the parties will choose the candidate they want anyways and this whole primary process is just a dog and pony show to make the voters feel like they actually did something.
Suddenly, I feel disenfranchised.
Funny, the Republicans can't even get the primary processes right! And Romney says he wants to make a better america! Fat Cat chance is all it is. You guys are such losers!
One puts "professional presidental candidate" on his tax return, the other puts "Christain Crusader". Big choice, run the fat pill popper from Florida, or is that weight limit still in effect?
Oh, come on people. It's a difference of 2 votes. If Santorum is the delegate choice. He will have more then enough going into the convention. If not, it will be more then 2 votes to show Romney is the guy. I do agree that it seems like that if we go into a brokered situation, they will chose Romney based on what they feel is a better chance to win in November. Personally, right or wrong I like Romney. But, I will support any of the other 3. The main goal is to get the community organizer out of messing up the country and put him back into a small community where he can do a better job with smaller responsibilities.
Frankly, I am getting tired of all the parties Obama is throwing in the white house rubbing shoulders with every famous person he can introduce to his family and friends.
This is really fun. I wish it wouldn't be over in only 9 months. I love my country, it's the government I don't trust. Remember 1 percenters, you get the government you buy.
dm. Obama's last party at the WH was for honoring the returning military personnel from Iraq. And you are tired of it. Shame on you.
Easy to put words in a persons mouth isn't it.....the shame is on you....
Try looking at all the fabulous parties that are not military related idiot.
I do understand the progressive's concerns about the republican candidate but
I am concerned about the progressive candidate???
Is obama a socialist, fascist, marxist, communist?
All I know is some people (anti-American progressives) get extremely upset if you refer to him as one or the other!!
All I know for sure is that he is not an "American Capitalist" so in an effort to properly identify him and calm the rhetoric. I am coining the term "soroist" maybe no one will be offended?
First has anyone questioned who "frank" in "Dreams from My Father" was???
Of course not!!!
frank marshall davis was obama's communist mentor!
Then google his white house appointees, valarie jarrett, andy stern and cass sunstein all of their essays and videos are very interesting!!!!!
For even more enjoyable reading google george soros, anthony then refresh your memory on the terrorist bill ayres, bernadine dorhn, the crook tony rezco and oh yes ole ref wright, obama's old Chicago buddies!!!!
How did the communist anthony van jones end up in obama's administration???
Of course all these associations are only coincidences???? Hmmmmm???
The question remains just what is obama??????
Looks like the elitist are at it again. More election fraud. The same way that got O-BLA BLA elected, dead people voting, not counting Military absent ballots, etc. They got caught with their pants down in the whole Florida sham to get Bush in for a 2nd term. It has been obvious for several years. Now they admit it and are IN YOUR FACE about it!
The sheeple just put up with the fleecing!